“No bird soars too high if he soars with his own wings.” William Blake
Readers have requested more table settings and I am happy to oblige! The inspiration for this tablescape was a gorgeous potted orchid I had in a sweet vase with a bluebird and a French inscription that I love.
I drew color inspiration of blue, off white and chocolate brown from the vase. I set the table for 4 on a smaller round table in the library for an inviting setting on a more intimate scale. The table was draped with a casual tone-on-tone embroidered cream linen tablecloth.
Even in winter I turn to the garden to see what I can use in table settings. My beloved witch hazel tree was blooming above its blanket of snow and I cut a large branch to weave across the table. This simple branch proves there is artistry in nature. A bare branch would work just as well. On the sculptural branch I pinned 2 golden bird ornaments with brown feathered tails. I just love the whimsy they bring to the table! Smaller witch hazel branches were added at each place setting. The square rattan chargers introduce another natural element to the table and provide textural interest in this casual setting. The heavenly yet delicate scent of witch hazel will lift anyone’s spirits on a cold winter day. To read more about my love affair with witch hazel, please click here and here.
Sky blue casual napkins were tied with a brown grosgrain ribbon with blue stripes. A square cream-colored luncheon plate was topped with a transferware salad plate with a pretty botanical pattern in blue/brown/cream. Blue colored glass tumblers complete this simple yet whimsical table for a winter lunch with friends.
I hope this January Blues table setting has inspired you today!
Beautiful!
Thank you!🌸
Johanne Lamarche
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Very pretty. I hope you found three friends to come and bring the lunch and sit and entertain you. What a dear little flower pot. Pretty bluebird.
Sent from my iPad
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Glad you liked it Dona. If only you weren’t a snowbird, you might be seated at that table! Was just dreaming of your mushroom soup while we await the big snowstorm!
Johanne Lamarche
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More beautiful work! And love the plates 🙂
Thanks Elaine! We both love our blue plates don’t we?
Johanne Lamarche
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We do! I just love beautiful crockery 🙂
As I read this sitting in my second floor of my house office I am looking out on the most beautiful snowfall…which we do not get here in Nashville very often…like every 5 years or so! I am staying inside and just looking at your table setting with the little birds (which I adore) and the witchhazel makes me very happy…the color is wonderful!
Thank you Teresa! If even Nashville is getting snow I can only imagine what it’s going to be like in a few hours up here! I love my witch hazel trees. They never cease to bring me wonder and joy in the depths of January, blooming cheerfully in the cold and snow! Enjoy your blanket of snow Teresa!
So very beautiful Johanne!! I looooove that flower pot with the little birdie 😍
Thank you Naina! Me too. He’s a harbinger of spring which is sure to come again someday! We are awaiting a possible 2 feet of snow in Pennsylvania tonight! I could have used your expert camera to really capture this table. Just couldn’t get the light right. You should offer photography classes someday! I am one of your biggest fans.
How special is this tablescape Johanne! I love everything about it. The plates are just so beautiful, love all the place settings, dishes and the witch hazel. How absolutely stunning! You have a gift, you should give classes at Longwood Gardens, incorporating fresh greens on your table at any time of the year. 🙂 I hope you’re ready for tonight’s blizzard. I’ve got my priorities straightened, I walked to the liquor store and the chocolate store and stocked up. I’m all set 🙂
You had me laughing out loud Loretta! Sheltering in style at Chez Loretta! You have your priorities right. Bet the liquor store was as mobbed as the supermarket! Thank you for your kind comments on my little tablescape. I really loved this one myself. Do you grow witch hazel? Such a special tree especially this time of year!!! Stay warm and safe. I know you’ll be at the fun house!!!
Johanne Lamarche
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No Johanne, I don’t grow witch hazel, I wish I had some. But with the garden being so small, I dare not add any more :). We’re getting a break from the storm now, but I think we’ll be slammed later on today with additional snow. Enjoy the snow, I best mingle and enjoy other blogs at the Fiesta….stay safe and warm! Cheers!
Still getting slammed here but it is beautiful☃
Johanne Lamarche
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Just lovely. And it does inspire me to want to invite some new friends over for a luncheon!
Then that makes my day! Thanks so much Julia! 🌸. btw how do you get those nice layers in the Panna cotta on the diagonal? I hope you’ll serve them for dessert at your luncheon!
Johanne Lamarche
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Johanne~ Beautiful to look at and I love how you turned your horizontal wicker placemats vertically! You are a wonder in so many ways!!! Stay warm!
Oops….Guess they might be square wicker placemats and it was just the camera angle that made them look rectangular?
I always use my iPad camera and it does angulated the images a bit. I find table settings hard to capture!
Johanne Lamarche
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Glad you like it Lorelei! Nature tugs at our heartstrings doesn’t? Those placemats are actually square, scored at Wegman’s for $1 each last fall! I really like them. Stay safe and warm….it already looks so serene and snowy out there!!!! Johanne Lamarche
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Very Beautifully Blue laid table Johanne 🙂
Thank you Nandini! Hope your husband is feeling better.
Sent from my iPhone
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Thank You Johanne, he is doing much better. Take Care 🙂
Hello Johanne,
I love your pretty table. Very fresh and elegant. I also like the texture of the square plate but my favorite is the blue and brown accent plate. Great combination and styling. The branches add a lovely touch. Beautiful table… I hope you are keeping cozy and warm.
Thank you so much Janet! I love those little plates too. I only have 4, one of those scores at Homegoods. I always think there are birds on them but there is not but I still wanted to pair them with little birds. Hope you made out ok in the blizzard. We went snow shoeing through our deserted neighborhood with neighbor friends yesterday. That was fun! Still waiting to be plowed out….
Johanne Lamarche
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Wow, your table looks so happy and inviting! Just gorgeous… I’m inspired to up my table setting game 🙂
Thank you! Meant to inspire MB. Happy FF weekend!
Johanne Lamarche
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